Prepare to be wowed.
True, you’ll have to wait until fall of 2027 for the full effect of the transformation, but it’s on the way. In the meantime, the folks at the Harley Clarke Development Company have some big plans for the summer, once their special events permit comes through from the city.
Beer is a big part of those plans. I had a chance to interview Rob Brennan, master brewer of The Harley Clarke Beer Co. and proprietor of Milwaukee’s Supermoon Beer Company, along with Scott Henry, CEO of The Harley Clarke Development Company and Celadon Construction Corporation.
Brennan is excited to be a part of the project, which will bring this historic Evanston landmark back to life after many years of neglect. Inspired by the history of the building, they’ve created proprietary beer recipes that work within that history, even finding an old beer recipe on site.
“We used that as a philosophical framework,” Brennan said. “We have a responsibility to pay homage to the level of craftsmanship the Mansion represents, something original and dynamic. We’re working with heritage beer styles, paying close attention to that heirloom, well-crafted quality.”
They’re calling it The Harley Clarke Beer Co., which they feel honors the weight and mythology of the name. They’re drawing inspiration from pre-Prohibition American brewing, as well as English, German and Belgian traditions.
They’ve been pilot batching for the last year. The beer is produced at a facility on Chicago’s North Side, but the main home base is at Brennan’s Milwaukee brewery.
“Our first six beers will be an unfiltered lager, pale ale, wheat beer, amber lager, farmhouse ale and kölsch,” Brennan said. “We also have access to an oak cellar, where we are fermenting beer in French Oak barrels.”
Later this summer, plans call for Wonder Chill ice cream days to return, with ice cream for sale at Harley Clarke several days a week, every week, through Sept. 30. The ice cream days will be open to the community, like last fall’s Fish Boil.
Ice cream will be provided by local favorite C&W Ice Cream and will feature branded ice cream trucks and carts serving bespoke flavors such as a Harley Clarke proprietary bourbon ice cream.
Giving back to the community is a big part of the project, too. There will be many public spaces and events to encourage Evanston residents to participate.
“We’re working on being available to the Evanston community,” Henry said. “We’ll be launching a powerful Wi-Fi signal that will be available on property for anyone who wants to work outside during the warmer months and take advantage of the weather.”
Later this summer, expect hardscape areas with tables and chairs, the availability of special coffees and iced teas, and a branded beer trailer that will operate from 5–10 p.m. daily. Plans call for a large restaurant inside the mansion to open in 2027 or later.